State tax cutshttp://publicradiotulsa.org
enhttp://publicradiotulsa.org/feeds/term/453/rss.xmlLooking Back at the Recently Completed Oklahoma Legislative Sessionhttp://publicradiotulsa.org/post/looking-back-recently-completed-oklahoma-legislative-session
<p>"An inadequate budget has state continuing to sink to the bottom." "Legislature cuts budgets for all, except the Legislature." Such have been two recent headlines for editorials appearing in the Tulsa World. On this edition of ST, we look back at <a href="http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/budget-winners-and-losers">the recently completed -- and widely criticized -- Oklahoma Legislative Session</a>, a contentious affair that saw lawmakers cutting spending as well as tax credits, and struggling to find new revenue amid an unprecedented $1.3 billion budget shortfall.Tue, 31 May 2016 21:20:49 +0000Rich Fisher99343 at http://publicradiotulsa.orgLooking Back at the Recently Completed Oklahoma Legislative SessionAs "the 11th Hour" Approaches, We Consider Certain Efforts to Balance the State's Woeful Bugdethttp://publicradiotulsa.org/post/11th-hour-approaches-we-consider-certain-efforts-balance-states-woeful-bugdet
<p>In a budget year with a predicted $1.3 billion shortfall, today is a major day in the Oklahoma Legislature; it's the last day (ostensibly) during which the state legislature can consider revenue bills. So far, very few bills have passed that have narrowed the budget gap...and time, of course, is seriously running out at this point. So, what is going through the minds of state lawmakers today? We put this question to Steve Lewis, who joins us by phone from the State Capitol Building.Mon, 23 May 2016 19:13:50 +0000Rich Fisher98949 at http://publicradiotulsa.orgAs "the 11th Hour" Approaches, We Consider Certain Efforts to Balance the State's Woeful BugdetStudioTulsa Presents "Along the Watershed" -- StateImpact's 2014 Doc on Oklahoma's Scenic Rivershttp://publicradiotulsa.org/post/studiotulsa-presents-along-watershed-stateimpacts-2014-doc-oklahomas-scenic-rivers
<p>There are six waterways in eastern Oklahoma that are considered so environmentally and economically significant they're given special consideration and protection from the state. These so-called Scenic Rivers were profiled in a special half-hour radio doc created by StateImpact reporters Joe Wertz and Logan Layden in 2014. This doc was originally aired as a four-part radio series, and we are pleased to re-broadcast it today on StudioTulsa.Mon, 23 May 2016 18:58:15 +0000Rich Fisher98948 at http://publicradiotulsa.orgStudioTulsa Presents "Along the Watershed" -- StateImpact's 2014 Doc on Oklahoma's Scenic Rivers"Days of Reckoning" Arrive at the State Capitol: A Chat with Wayne Greene of the Tulsa Worldhttp://publicradiotulsa.org/post/days-reckoning-arrive-state-capitol-chat-wayne-greene-tulsa-world
<p>On this installment of ST, we speak with Wayne Greene, the editorial pages editor at the Tulsa World. As noted at <a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/blogs/news/waynegreene/">the World's website</a>, Greene is a "fourth-generation Oklahoman in his third decade with the [newspaper]. As a reporter he covered several bank failures, one prison riot, three executions, and every aspect of state government during four years at the World's state capitol bureau. He became the World's city editor on April 1, 1995, and served in that post for nearly 13 years.Wed, 11 May 2016 21:19:58 +0000Rich Fisher98388 at http://publicradiotulsa.org"Days of Reckoning" Arrive at the State Capitol: A Chat with Wayne Greene of the Tulsa WorldThe OK Policy Institute's David Blatt on Gov. Fallin's Recommendations to Fill the State Budget Gaphttp://publicradiotulsa.org/post/ok-policy-institutes-david-blatt-gov-fallins-recommendations-fill-state-budget-gap
<p>Yesterday at the State Capitol, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin offered her recommendations to the State Legislature on how to fill next year's estimated $1.3 billion budget deficit. Her "Budget 2.0" provides for exempting Common Education, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and Mental Health Services from cuts -- while also exempting cuts in other areas, including higher education -- and offers significant revenue enhancements to the budget as well.Mon, 18 Apr 2016 20:47:51 +0000Rich Fisher97217 at http://publicradiotulsa.orgThe OK Policy Institute's David Blatt on Gov. Fallin's Recommendations to Fill the State Budget GapSome Legislative Leaders are Reconsidering a State Tax Cuthttp://publicradiotulsa.org/post/some-legislative-leaders-are-reconsidering-state-tax-cut
<p>The Republican state senate Finance Chairman says lawmakers should consider delaying the income tax cut that went into effect January 1st. Tulsa Senator Mike Mazzei believes it’s a prudent option given the state’s dire financial predicament. Tulsa area Representative Glen Mulready, also a Republican, agrees. He doesn’t want to eliminate the income tax reduction, but says a delay or postponement until better financial times is reasonable.</p>Tue, 19 Jan 2016 19:20:51 +0000Marshall Stewart92423 at http://publicradiotulsa.orgSome Legislative Leaders are Reconsidering a State Tax CutA Letter to Lawmakers Asks for a Tax Cut to be Haltedhttp://publicradiotulsa.org/post/letter-lawmakers-asks-tax-cut-be-halted
<p>A letter has gone to Oklahoma political leaders calling for a halt to a tax cut set to go into effect in January. Those behind the letter believe it is irresponsible to continue with the cut given the current budget crisis. The Oklahoma Policy Institute’s David Blatt says it’s unfair for the state to require the faith community, businesses, non-profits, and philanthropists to take up more and more of the burden.</p><p>He says the cut to the ‘top income tax rate will add millions of dollars to the budget shortfall…and will benefit very few Oklahomans.’</p>Wed, 06 May 2015 19:30:04 +0000Marshall Stewart78964 at http://publicradiotulsa.orgA Letter to Lawmakers Asks for a Tax Cut to be HaltedDavid Blatt of the Oklahoma Policy Institute on How Our State Can Redress Its Vast Budget Gaphttp://publicradiotulsa.org/post/david-blatt-oklahoma-policy-institute-how-our-state-can-redress-its-vast-budget-gap
<p>As our state's newly inaugurated legislative session continues, there's been no shortage of bills that've attracted attention from the national media -- for less than favorable reasons -- including bills that would ban "hoodies" or AP History classes, or those that would allow Oklahoma businesses to discriminate against their gay customers or else end civil marriages altogether. What we have <em>not</em> seen -- not yet, anyway -- is a responsible discussion of how to fill a $611 million shortfall in next year's budget.Tue, 10 Mar 2015 17:59:25 +0000Rich Fisher75855 at http://publicradiotulsa.orgDavid Blatt of the Oklahoma Policy Institute on How Our State Can Redress Its Vast Budget GapNew Report: "A Well-Educated Workforce Is Key to State Prosperity"http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/new-report-well-educated-workforce-key-state-prosperity
<p>Our guest on this edition of ST is Peter Fisher, research director at the Iowa Policy Project, who co-wrote a <a href="http://www.epi.org/publication/states-education-productivity-growth-foundations/">recently published paper</a>, "A Well-Educated Workforce Is Key to State Prosperity," for the Economic Analysis and Research Network.Tue, 03 Sep 2013 20:23:56 +0000Rich Fisher45584 at http://publicradiotulsa.orgNew Report: "A Well-Educated Workforce Is Key to State Prosperity"Tax Cut Bill Stalledhttp://publicradiotulsa.org/post/tax-cut-bill-stalled
<p style="margin-left:-.5in;">The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee has stalled a leadership-backed bill to cut the state's income tax and then declined to explain why the bill has been laid over.</p><p style="margin-left:-.5in;">The decision Tuesday by Tulsa Republican Sen. Mike Mazzei comes one day after a separate income tax proposal Mazzei sponsored was soundly rejected by a House committee.</p><p style="margin-left:-.5in;">When approached by reporters after the meeting, Mazzei declined to respond to questions and said he had a pressing meeting to attend.</p>Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:58:00 +0000Associated Press36764 at http://publicradiotulsa.orgTax Cut Bill Stalled